CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. – Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to proclaim that all enslaved people were free. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is the country’s second Independence Day, officially becoming a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
From May 16th – June 19th, Catawba County agencies and organizations will commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations, performances, parades, guest speakers, revival, resource fairs, informative
programing, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for empowerment and excellence, a time for community and togetherness.
Join the celebration by participating in Juneteenth events being held across Catawba County, including:
- May 16: Let’s Talk About It: Juneteenth with NAACP Hickory from 6 – 8 pm at Ridgeview Branch
Library - May 21: 2nd Annual Juneteenth Book Discussion at 6-8 pm at Newton Main Library
- May 23: Let’s Talk About It: Juneteenth with NAACP Catawba County from 6-8 pm at Newton
Main Library - May 25: Let’s Talk About It: Juneteenth with NAACP Catawba County from 6-8 pm at Conover
Public Library - May 29: Let’s Talk About It: Juneteenth with NAACP Hickory from 6 – 8 pm at Patrick Beaver
Memorial Library - May 30: L.A.T.E. Night Thursday Juneteenth: An Opening Night** from 6-8 pm at Hickory
Museum of Art - June 1: Town of Catawba: Celebrating Catawba’s Rosenwald Legacy from 2-6 pm at David
Hunsucker Park - June 7: Conover Juneteenth- Live Music by N-Spire and GMRV from 5- 10 pm at Conover City
Park - June 8: Hickory Juneteenth Festival- Live music by Baby Black Band from 5:30-9 pm at Samuel Williams Davis Ball Field
- June 12: Juneteenth March Sign Making Program from 6-8 pm at Main Library in Newton
- June 13: Music On Main Juneteenth- Live music by Carolina Soul Band from 5:30-8:30 pm in Downtown Newton
- June 14: Jive After Five Juneteenth- Live music by Ace Party Band from 6-9 pm at Maiden Town Hall
- June 15: City of Newton Juneteenth Freedom March at 10 am at Newton Downtown Courthouse to Central Rec
- June 15: NOAHSLAW 2nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day from 10-3 pm at 908 4th Street SW Conover
- June 15: 3 rd Annual Juneteenth Worship Celebration from 12-3 pm at Brown Penn Recreation Center
- June 19: Freedom Day Storytime at 10 am at Ridgeview Branch Library
- June 19: Juneteenth Herman Sipe Lunch & Library from 11:30-1 pm at 111 Herman Sipe Rd, Conover
